Kevin Ayers And The Whole World

British Psychedelic Rock Pioneers

Kevin Ayers was an influential figure in the British psychedelic and progressive rock scenes. He was a founding member of the pioneering avant-garde band Soft Machine in the mid-1960s. After leaving Soft Machine, Ayers embarked on a solo career and formed the band Kevin Ayers and The Whole World to back him on his second album, "Shooting at the Moon," which was released in 1970. This group included a young Mike Oldfield on bass and guitar, as well as other notable musicians such as Lol Coxhill on saxophone and David Bedford on keyboards. Ayers' work is characterized by his distinctive baritone voice, whimsical lyrics, and an eclectic approach to music that often blended elements of folk, jazz, and rock. Throughout his career, he collaborated with various artists and continued to release albums into the 21st century until his death in 2013.